US Commercial fiction Literary Agents

Fiction, nonfiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Kimberley Cameron represents both fiction and nonfiction manuscripts, with the exception of romance, children's books, and screenplays. While working largely by referral, she is always looking for exceptional writing in any field, particularly writing that touches the heart and makes readers feel something.

Kimberley Cameron is currently closed to submissions indefinitely and is only reviewing projects on a referral basis according to her official linked QueryManager page. KC and A uses QueryManager and does not accept submissions through email.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction, prescriptive non-fiction, business, pop culture

Wants: Query letter

Fargis is looking for upmarket women's fiction, book club fiction, and middle grade fiction that blurs the line between literary and commercial. She does not want romance, high fantasy, true crime, poetry, or children's picture books.

Review individual agent biographies and submit query addressed to one agent at submissions@stonesong.com. Include the word query in the subject line. For fiction, include the first chapter or first 10 pages pasted into the body of the email. For nonfiction, include bio, credentials, social media analytics, previous publications, and platform information. Do not send attachments.

Commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, dark romance, romantasy, romance, speculative fiction, mystery, thriller, gothic, horror, historical fiction, rom com, magical realism, current events, true crime, science, history, narrative non-fiction, sports, politics, health, nutrition, pop culture, humor, music, memoir

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages

Jill seeks fiction and non-fiction by unrepresented voices, BIPOC and Latinx writers, disabled persons, and LGBTQ+ people. She wants commercial and upmarket fiction emphasizing dark romance, romantasy, speculative fiction, mysteries, thrillers, Gothic, horror, and historical fiction, plus food-centric novels and psychological suspense in the vein of Freida McFadden. For non-fiction, she seeks authors with big, timely, smart messages and deep dives into subcultures, social commentary, and historical projects.

Submit via QueryManager at QueryManager.com or JillMarr. Include query letter, 1-page synopsis, brief bio with publishing history, and first 10-15 pages for fiction. For non-fiction, include query letter and full book proposal.

Commercial fiction, suspense, thrillers, mysteries, crime fiction, historical novels, historical suspense, romance, women's fiction

Commercial fiction, writers with distinctive voices in suspense, thrillers, mysteries, crime fiction, historical novels and historical suspense, romance, and women's fiction

Check agent's submission page

Literary fiction, upmarket commercial women's fiction, narrative nonfiction, children's books

Literary fiction and upmarket, commercial women's fiction. Narrative nonfiction. Children's books, especially middle grade and young adult.

Email queries only at jenniferlyonsagency (at) gmail (dot) com

Commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, historical fiction, fantasy, crime, adult fiction

Alice Speilburg represents commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction for the adult market. She is drawn to culturally relevant nonfiction, especially by journalists, and in fiction has particular interest in immersive historical adventures, myth-based fantasy, and atmospheric crime.

Alice Speilburg uses QueryManager. Her official agency profile says she is open to queries on the 10th through 16th of each month, but the linked QueryManager page currently says she is not accepting queries at this time and may close when she reaches capacity.

Women's fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, young adult, romance, lgbt, middle grade, memoir, narrative nonfiction, personal finance, business, true crime, sports, popular culture, self-help, religion, health, parenting

Wants: Query letter, book proposal for nonfiction

High-concept book club fiction, queer fiction, destination novels, emotionally satisfying reads, cozy fantasy, horror with modern commentary, and adult dystopian fiction

Use The Knight Agency submissions page and the relevant QueryManager link, do not query multiple TKA agents simultaneously.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, illustrators, commercial fiction, literary fiction, diverse voices

Marietta B. Zacker is Co-owner and Literary Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She is always looking for visual and narrative stories that reflect the world as it is rather than narrow bubbles, loves books that make readers feel, and avoids projects that set out mainly to teach a lesson. Across young adult, middle grade, and picture books, she looks for stories where young readers can identify with the actions and reactions of the characters, not the perspective of the author or illustrator, and where diversity is inherent and authentic. She is excited by soulful, insightful, well-crafted literary or commercial projects for any age group from young adult to the youngest readers.

Marietta B. Zacker is currently closed to queries according to the official Gallt and Zacker submissions page. When GZLA agents are open, the agency asks writers to choose one person to query, query only one GZLA agent at a time, and use the agent link on the submissions page.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, select non-fiction

See source page for more info

Check agent's submission page

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, speculative fiction, magical realism, mystery, suspense, memoir, pop culture, science, social commentary

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

She is looking for upmarket fiction, both literary and commercial, with dynamic characters and elevated language, enjoying elements of speculative fiction, magical realism, mystery, and suspense. In nonfiction, she seeks unusual personal narratives, pop culture and science, and social commentary.

Email query letters to mail@dclagency.com and paste the first ten pages of your manuscript below your letter. Address your email to the specific agent. Submitting to more than one agent at a time is permitted, but indicate which agents you are querying. Emails with attachments will not be opened.

Nonfiction, mystery or suspense or thriller, historical fiction, contemporary or commercial, sapphic romance

Stories that reveal the truths of what it means to be a human in our difficult, often oppressive, world. Always looking for writing from historically underrepresented groups, with special place for LGBTQIA+ folks

Submit through QueryManager

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, horror, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, historical fiction, picture books, middle grade, young adult, romance, mystery

Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages

Laura would love to find fantasy, spec fiction, alternate history, and horror with fresh, original, unexpected reimaginings. She seeks retellings that reinvent underlying traditions, gothic suspense or thrillers, romantasy that is more romantic fantasy than fantasy romance, high concept rom-coms, and sexy historical romance. She also wants thrillers and mysteries with dynamic, unexpected characters and rich psychological insights.

Click on the QueryManager link in the agent's bio, follow the prompts, and complete all required fields including a short query letter with a description of your work, previous publishing credentials, a short author bio, contact information, and for novels: first 10 pages of text.

Children's fiction, picture books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, middle grade non-fiction, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, writing sample

Offbeat projects that break the mold, with particular interest in queer and BIPOC literature and writers. He wants to read something that moves him and connects on an intellectual, emotional or spiritual level. He specifically wants to see more middle grade fiction and nonfiction, and graphic novels.

Submit only via Query Manager. Include query letter in body and first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction. For picture books, include full text and dummy or sample art if available. For graphic novels, include first 25 pages of script plus illustrated pages if author or illustrator.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, thrillers, mystery, historical fiction, young adult, nonfiction, health, science, environment, true crime, memoir, spirituality

Elizabeth Kracht represents literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, thrillers, mysteries, historical fiction, crossover YA, and nonfiction. She appreciates writing with depth, an introspective voice, thematic layers, multicultural themes and characters, and strong settings. Her nonfiction interests include high concept, health, science, environment, prescriptive nonfiction, investigative nonfiction, true crime, voice- or adventure-driven memoir, sexuality, spirituality, and animal or pet stories.

Elizabeth Kracht is currently only open to queries and pitches through conferences, online events, workshops, and referrals. Kimberley Cameron and Associates uses QueryManager for submissions and asks writers to tailor submissions to each agent's interests, but her public QueryManager page currently says she is not accepting unsolicited queries.

Non-fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages

In nonfiction, she seeks big-idea books examining technology, race, disability, queerness, inequality, science, politics, cultural histories, and close studies. In fiction, she seeks literary and commercial works that reveal new connections and fuller ways to be human, prioritizing writers whose sentences thrum with voice and style.

For fiction submissions, send an informative description, a brief synopsis and the first ten pages. For non-fiction submissions, send an informative description, a full outline, and the first ten pages of the manuscript. Please include the sample pages in the body of the email below your query. Please direct your submission to an individual agent and send your material to submissions@janklow.com.

Fiction, nonfiction, memoir, biography, history, business, health, science, pop culture, current affairs, narrative nonfiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Wants: Personal recommendation only

Joëlle represents adult fiction and nonfiction. The agency no longer accepts children's books, YA, middle grade, picture books, screenplays, novellas or poetry.

Joelle Delbourgo Associates is currently closed to queries except through personal recommendation.

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, psychological thriller, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, young adult, science fiction, paranormal romance, thriller, nonfiction, cookbooks, memoir, self-help, lifestyle

Mariah is interested in upmarket and commercial adult fiction, women's fiction, psychological thrillers, contemporary romance and rom-coms, young adult science fiction, paranormal romance, thrillers and contemporary romance, plus nonfiction including cookbooks, memoirs, self-help, lifestyle and how-to.

Mariah is currently closed to submissions.

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, mystery, thriller, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter

Lauren is particularly interested in adult and Young Adult commercial fiction, especially women's fiction, romance, mysteries, and thrillers, as well as select non-fiction titles.

Query via QueryTracker platform at the link provided on her profile page.

Mystery, thriller, commercial fiction, cozy mystery

Wants: Query letter, first three chapters

James is interested in novel-length adult mystery and thriller only, leaning commercial rather than literary. He likes murder mysteries, whodunnits, locked-room and closed-circle mysteries, cozy mysteries, mysteries with speculative elements that still belong on mystery shelves, and thrillers with memorable premises and strong suspense.

James is currently closed to queries. When open, submit through QueryManager with the first three chapters. QueryManager is the only place to query him, email queries are deleted unread.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction

Deborah represents a large variety of prominent and bestselling writers across literary and commercial fiction and nonfiction.

Deborah Schneider is currently closed to queries. Gelfman Schneider says any queries not following current guidelines are deleted unread and that all listed agents are currently closed or referral-only.

Adult fiction, book club fiction, women's fiction, romance, romantic comedy, thriller, suspense, memoir, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, women's issues

Wants: Query letter, bio, comparable books, first twenty pages or proposal

Allison Hunter is acquiring literary and commercial adult fiction, especially upmarket book club and women's fiction, romance and rom-coms, thrillers, and domestic suspense. She likes great storytelling, unforgettable characters, female friendship stories, campus novels, love stories, family epics, class and cultural identity, smart beach reads by underrepresented authors, select memoir, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, women's issues, and books speaking to the current cultural climate.

Submit through Allison Hunter's official QueryManager form. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager and asks writers not to submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window. Her form asks for author bio, why Trellis, title, word count, genre, query letter, comparable books, and the first 20 pages or full nonfiction proposal.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, middle grade, narrative nonfiction

Penelope represents literary and commercial fiction in adult, YA, and middle grade, as well as some narrative nonfiction. She is looking for an engaging voice.

Penelope Burns is currently closed to queries. Gelfman Schneider says any queries not following current guidelines are deleted unread and that all listed agents are currently closed or referral-only.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, domestic suspense, historical fiction, book club fiction, narrative nonfiction

Amy Cloughley seeks authors with unique, clear voices and smart, tightly written prose. She leans toward grounded literary, upmarket, and commercial novels with a distinct sense of place, page-turning mystery, domestic suspense with sharp wit and unexpected twists, well-researched historical fiction, book club fiction with a fresh perspective, small-town contemporary characters, unexpected story arcs, suitable pacing, compelling protagonists, and narrative nonfiction immersed in a culture, lifestyle, discipline, or industry.

Amy Cloughley is currently closed to unsolicited submissions. Her official Kimberley Cameron team page links to a QueryManager form, and the form currently states that she is not accepting queries at this time.

Narrative nonfiction, literary commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, legal thriller, psychological thriller, domestic thriller, biography, history, science, sports, travel

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Anne-Lise Spitzer is president of Spitzer Agency. Current public materials describe interest in narrative nonfiction from writers with diverse voices, literary commercial fiction, mysteries, legal, psychological, and domestic thrillers, plus biography, history, science, sports, and travel.

The Spitzer Agency site says it is not accepting new clients for representation at this time.

Narrative nonfiction, biography, memoir, commercial fiction, romance, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, cozy mystery, middle grade, young adult

Carrie Pestritto represents projects across a range of genres and is drawn to immersive writing, engaging voices, meticulous world-building, and compelling premises. LDLA lists her interests as adult narrative nonfiction, biography/memoir, commercial fiction with a literary twist, fresh chick-lit, romance, upmarket women's fiction, near-historical fiction from about the Gilded Age on, mystery/thrillers for a female audience, cozies, and high-concept commercial MG and YA in contemporary, historical, mystery/thriller, horror, or fantasy genres, especially featuring POC or marginalized characters, high stakes, and exciting plot lines.

Carrie Pestritto is currently closed to queries. LDLA accepts queries via QueryManager only and says writers should submit to one agent at a time with one complete project. Carrie's official linked QueryManager page says she is not accepting queries at this time and suggests checking colleagues' bios while she is closed.

Fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, thriller, fantasy, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, first several chapters, proposal

Jennifer Herrera is currently open to fiction queries and closed to unsolicited nonfiction queries. In fiction, she loves character-driven thrillers, upmarket book club fiction, and imaginative fantasy. Her nonfiction interests include books about big ideas, especially smart, issue-driven work from journalists and writers with professional expertise in science, psychology, philosophy, economics, prescriptive, lifestyle, history, and the stories of underrepresented groups.

Jennifer Herrera is currently closed through her official linked QueryManager or QueryTracker page because she is only open to queries from the 1st through the 14th of each month. When open, submit fiction through the official QueryManager or QueryTracker link. The David Black submissions page says to query only one agent at a time, include a concise query letter, and for fiction include the first several chapters. Nonfiction queries should include a proposal, but Jennifer is currently closed to unsolicited nonfiction.

Commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, pop culture, music, inspirational, thriller, literary fiction, foreign rights

Susan Raihofer is Literary Agent and Foreign Rights Director at the David Black Literary Agency. She focuses on commercial fiction and nonfiction, including memoir, pop culture, music, inspirational work, thrillers, and a selective amount of literary fiction. Her official profile says her pop sensibility and literary heart come together around projects with soul and an edge.

Susan Raihofer is currently not accepting unsolicited queries according to her official David Black profile. The official David Black submissions page lists only other agents as currently accepting new queries.

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, food writing, cookbooks, memoir

Sharon Bowers is a literary agent at Folio Literary Management. She began her career as an editor at HarperCollins and has been an agent for over two decades. She represents award-winning novelists and a diverse list of nonfiction, including chefs and food writers.

Sharon Bowers is currently closed to submissions according to her official Folio profile.

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, book club fiction, thrillers, mystery, speculative fiction, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, big idea nonfiction, wellness, history, sports, collaborative writers

Mark Tavani is VP of Business Strategy and Literary Agent at the David Black Literary Agency. He represents both fiction and nonfiction. His fiction list includes a wide range of literary and commercial fiction, book club novels, thrillers, mysteries, speculative fiction, and historical fiction, especially fiction that entertains and enriches readers. In nonfiction, he represents work that illuminates or inspires and works with experts and journalists, especially in narrative nonfiction, big ideas, wellness, history, and sports. He also represents collaborative writers who partner with authors in those spaces.

Mark Tavani is not accepting unsolicited queries at this time according to his official David Black profile. The general David Black submissions page lists the agents currently accepting new queries, and Mark Tavani is not listed there.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, mystery, thriller, crime fiction, young adult, narrative nonfiction, science writing, business books, history

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Sandra represents adult commercial and literary fiction, mystery, thriller and crime fiction, YA, narrative nonfiction, accessible science writing, business books, and history.

Sandra Bond is closed to all queries, her client list is full.

Fiction, nonfiction, commercial fiction, debut authors, self-published authors, subrights

Louise Fury founded The Fury Agency in 2023 after 13 years in the industry. The official site describes The Fury Agency as a boutique, full-service literary agency in New York City focused on traditional book deals, subrights for self-published titles, and multi-platform approaches that monetize multiple revenue streams and grow author careers. Its authors page lists New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and internationally bestselling authors as well as debut authors and successful self-published bestsellers.

The Fury Agency is currently closed to submissions according to the official contact page.

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Rose focuses on stylistically subversive and thematically layered fiction, upmarket and smart commercial fiction with inventive structures, emotional depth, distinctive voices, braided narratives, unexpected points of view, and prose that takes creative risks.

Rose Conway is closed to queries and the Confluence submissions page says she will reopen via QueryTracker on 2026-05-01.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, biography

Joy Harris works primarily with literary fiction, strongly written commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction across a broad range of topics, memoir, and biography. She is drawn to a clear, original voice, an engaging point of view, and strong characters.

The Joy Harris Literary Agency is not accepting unsolicited submissions at this time according to its official contact page.

Adult fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, romance, psychological thriller, cozy mystery, memoir, young adult, middle grade, humor

Saba Sulaiman is Senior Agent at Talcott Notch. She is currently closed, but when open she looks for adult upmarket literary and commercial fiction, romance except paranormal, character-driven psychological thrillers, cozy mysteries, and memoir; young adult in all subgenres except paranormal, fantasy, and science fiction, especially contemporary realistic YA with heart, humor, and personality; middle grade that is smart, accessible, funny, sweet, or written with flair; and humor nonfiction. She looks for strong voices, unconventional narratives, complex relationships, fresh perspectives, multicultural perspectives, and themes of immigration, displacement, and cultural adjustment.

Saba Sulaiman is currently closed to queries according to her official Talcott Notch profile.

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, horror, speculative fiction, gothic fiction, mythology, folklore retellings, romance

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Elizabeth represents thought-provoking upmarket and commercial fiction for adult and YA audiences, especially lush prose, complex characters, creative genre blends, boundary-pushing horror and speculative fiction, psychological terror, gothic atmosphere, macabre humor, dark mythology and folklore retellings, and unexpected love stories.

Elizabeth is open only to referral and submission invitations, such as conference invitations. Existing pending submissions via Copps Literary Services QueryTracker remain under consideration. Queries sent by email or contact form will not be considered.

Book club fiction, literary fiction, nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction

Jamie Chambliss is drawn to literary and upmarket or book club fiction, and to narrative nonfiction, especially work dealing with food, pop culture, the quirks of human nature, stories within science and sports, and forgotten corners of history.

Jamie Chambliss is currently closed to queries according to her official Folio profile.